Analysis: Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh is ready to be a captain

AP PhotoDetroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been a more vocal leader this offseason.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions will choose captains this week and no one should be surprised if defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is selected by his teammates.

As recently as last year, that seemed improbable.

During his first three seasons, Suh only interacted with a handful of teammates, on and off the field. He had a contentious relationship with the local media. He just didn't fit the part.

But a switch flipped this offseason.

When veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams were on the roster, the Lions didn't need Suh to lead. He could simply focus on his play and give way to those vocal veterans when something needed to be said.

But after the organization parted ways with Vanden Bosch and Williams this offseason, the typically quiet, brooding Suh was ready to fill the void.

"Suh stepped up, big time," former captain Dominic Raiola said. "I can't even start to explain it. I said this all preseason, but he's kind of stepped up the leadership role."

Linebacker Ashlee Palmer, who was claimed off waivers a couple months before the Lions drafted Suh in 2010, has also noticed a transformation.

"Oh yeah, definitely," Palmer said. "He's come out of his shell completely. He's a whole lot more vocal with the whole defense, not just his group."

Within his group, Suh has taken first-round draft pick Ezekiel Ansah under his wing. During practice, it's common to see the veteran defensive tackle pull the rookie aside and talk him through his mistakes and the needed corrections.

Beyond his increased communication with teammates, Suh has also warmed up to the media.

Having a good rapport with reporters certainly doesn't factor in to success on Sundays, but if you want to wear the "C," there's an expectation you can be a representative of your team when the press has questions, during good times and bad.

In the past, Suh met with reporters reluctantly. While he hasn't necessarily transformed into Nate Burleson overnight, the hulking defensive tackle has been far more approachable this offseason. He offers honest and insightful answers to every question he's asked.

While being asked about his new, noticeably more pleasant attitude a couple weeks back, Suh offered up a group hug for the reporters surrounding his locker.

It's difficult to believe this is the same man who has been here the past three seasons.

"I think everybody has an opportunity to grow up and change their ways and find ways to be fun," Suh said. "You want to live life on the happy side. You never want to live it on the sad side of things."

Suh is ready for captaincy and not just because he's handing out hugs.

He already possesses most of the traits you want in a leader. He's dominant, he's durable and he has a relentless work ethic. Those characteristics alone were enough for wide receiver Calvin Johnson to be selected as a captain last season.

But Suh's taken it a step further. He's morphing into a vocal veteran, no longer only concerned about his individual success, but also helping those around him be better.

This is the next evolution of Suh and it's exactly what the Lions need from him.